Patents by Inventor William A. Sims

William A. Sims has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7694968
    Abstract: A card viewer having a main body having a cover with at least one transparent portion, a first reflective surface, and a second reflective surface. The image of the first side of the card is received by the second reflective surface, transferred from the second reflective surface to the first reflective surface, and observed on the first reflective surface from the location above a second side of the card through a single transparent portion of the at least one transparent portion. The viewer can include at least one clamping device to secure the viewer to an object or the viewer can be made integrally with the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: William A. Sims, Jr., William A. Sims, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20080170313
    Abstract: A card viewer having a main body having a cover with at least one transparent portion, a first reflective surface, and a second reflective surface. The image of the first side of the card is received by the second reflective surface, transferred from the second reflective surface to the first reflective surface, and observed on the first reflective surface from the location above a second side of the card through a single transparent portion of the at least one transparent portion. The viewer can include at least one clamping device to secure the viewer to an object or the viewer can be made integrally with the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: William A. Sims, William A. Sims
  • Patent number: 6236644
    Abstract: A method of setting up a conference has the following steps: 1) selecting a conference bridge (68) and a conference number; 2) dialing a conference number; 3) when a private branch exchange (52) seizes an off-network trunk (55), receiving the conference number at a interexchange carrier service switching point; 4) routing the conference call to a local exchange carrier service switching point (74); 5) routing the conference call over a dedicated access line (78) to an on-network service switching point (76); 6) triggering on the conference call at the on-network service switching point (76); 7) sending a query to a service control point (58); 8) receiving a routing instructions from the service control point (58); and 9) routing the conference call to the conference bridge (68).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Steven S. Shuman, William A. Sims
  • Patent number: 5903119
    Abstract: A convertible roof actuation mechanism includes a pliable roof cover, a top stack mechanism supporting the roof cover, and at least one roof bow of the top stack mechanism independently movable relative to the remainder of the top stack mechanism for selectively reducing and increasing tension of the roof cover during latching. In another aspect of the present invention, at least one roof bow is retracted closer to a bottom pivot of a rear roof rail when stowed to optimize packaging space within a convertible roof storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven G. Laurain, Michael T. Willard, William A. Sims
  • Patent number: 5892822
    Abstract: A method of and system for routing switched termination telephone calls in accordance with international routing requirements and with consideration of available network capacity. A call is received at a switch of an international carrier. The switch sends a query identifying the first country as the country of origin for the call and the second country as the country of termination for the call to a service control point of the international carrier. The service control point determines from the query that the call is an international call and sends a request for a routing translation to a regulatory routing platform of the international carrier. The regulatory routing platform determines an optimal route for the call in accordance with international regulatory routing requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Louis G. Gottlieb, William A. Sims, Steven P. Higgins, Randall P. Ethier
  • Patent number: 5873030
    Abstract: The method any system for nationwide mobile telecommunications billing provides improved efficiency in billing for mobile services. Local mobile networks are communicatively connected by signaling network to a national mobile service platform (MNSP). Traffic event information generated by local mobile networks is collected directly by the NMSP. Traffic event information generated by local landline networks and long distance networks is also collected by the NMSP. The NMSP processes all traffic events for all calls, generates all necessary billing information and returns resulting billing information to other networks only when necessary. In order to simplify NMSP processing, all billing information collected from other networks is formatted to form uniform master call detail records (MCDR). Each MCDR contains all the information necessary for the NMSP to perform its processing. Each MCDR is rated, then billing information is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Mechling, William A. Sims, Thelma Pimental, Phillip Wayne Fought
  • Patent number: 5161852
    Abstract: A vehicle convertible top linkage assembly having improved means for controlling the articulation of the convertible top as it is raised and lowered. This linkage assembly includes a pair of pillar links that are pivotally coupled to the vehicle and a pair of balance links that control the articulation of the convertible top. The balance links are coupled to the linkage assembly by coupling means that simultaneously allow the balance links to be pivotally and longitudinally displaced. Longitudinal displacement of the balance links is accomplished by a variety of displacing means and serves the purpose of actuating the control links. These displacing means displace the balance link when the convertible top is being raised and lowered to provide various paths of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Alexander, William A. Sims, George A. Corder, Albert W. Harrison
  • Patent number: 4720133
    Abstract: A manually operated convertible top structure for vehicles having a pivotal tonneau mounted rearward of the passenger compartment. The convertible top structure includes a pair of spaced rigid side rails which are interconnected by a plurality of spaced, transversely extending crossbows to form a frame work over which a flexible folding top is disposed. A pair of rear rails extending in a substantially upright orientation are pivotally mounted to the vehicle at one end and are connected by a control linkage to the side rails. The rearmost crossbow is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket attached to the vehicle. The side rails are pivotally connected to the frontmost crossbows for outward lateral movement as the top structure is lowered. An over-center lock formed of first and second links is pivotally connected between the rear rails and the rearmost crossbow for positively locking the rearmost crossbow on the tonneau when the convertible top structure is in its raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Alexander, William A. Sims
  • Patent number: 4223943
    Abstract: An adjustable and releasable locking device for a removable vehicle roof panel is disclosed. A rotating lever longitudinally projects a pair of tapered pins which mate with apertures in the windshield post and headliner. The transverse and vertical position of the tapered pins is adjustable to position the panel relative to other parts of the vehicle and provide a smooth transition between the vehicle roof and the removable panel and provide an adequate seal between the vehicle and the removable panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: American Sunroof Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. VanHulle, Richard D. George, William A. Sims
  • Patent number: D354064
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: William A. Sims